Sunday, January 17, 2016

In early May 1958, Boeing Flight
Test moved 707-121, N707PA painted in Pan American

colors, to Edwards AFB in
California for the continuation of 707 certification tests. The test program
included runway performance, aerodynamic performance, climb performance, thrust
and drag in all flap and gear configurations, handling qualities, and system
tests. The reason for testing at Edwards was excellent weather, minimal
traffic, and convenient test

areas.

As Memorial Day approached, the
LA newspapers each day had stories of the marvelous DC-8 and how it would be
superior to the 707. The local news media was strong supporters of Douglas
Aircraft in those days (unlike the Seattle media in regard to Boeing). The news
all published stories of Douglas’ plan to fly the DC-8 on Memorial Day weekend
(Saturday, as I remember), and bleachers had been erected on the airport for
employees and family to witness the first takeoff at about noon.

On the scheduled day, it was just
another test day for the 707. Arise at 4:30 A.M., have breakfast, go to the airport, and
take off at 6:30 A.M. to conduct the first test flight for that day. Our plan was to proceed to
the vicinity of Catalina Island and conduct low altitude climb performance and drag/thrust
tests. We proceeded with our test plan and flew test conditions until we had burned
fuel to the level we could no longer maintain the gross weight and center of gravity
needed for the test conditions, approximately 9:30 A.M.

My co-pilot was Walt Haldeman, a
CAA test pilot stationed in the LA region of the CAA.

As we departed the test area, we
climbed to about 15,000 feet and set course for Edwards AFB. By coincidence,
the route was almost over Long Beach airport where the DC-8 was to make its flight.
When we reached altitude, we heard over the radio the various Douglas photo
stations, wind measuring stations, and other test support talking on the common
flight test radio frequency we also used to communicate with our mobile radio
station at Edwards. Walt and I discussed flying over the Long Beach airport and
taking a look at the DC-8. About 15 miles from Long Beach, I selected tower
frequency, identified myself as 707 Papa Alpha, and requested to overly the
airport at 5,000 feet.

The tower acknowledged the
request, and after a brief pause asked if we were a Boeing 707.

I confirmed we were indeed a Boeing 707. The tower cleared us to overfly at 5,000 feet. Shortly, the tower came back and
cleared us to 3,000 feet, which I acknowledged. Very shortly, the tower cleared us to
1,000 feet, which I again acknowledged. (They were really getting into this!)
When we were about three miles from the airport, with no request from me, the
tower cleared us to overfly the airport at any altitude we wished! I again acknowledged the clearance. We
lowered the landing gear and flaps and descended to about 500 feet (maybe it
was a little lower) and flew the length of the runway, added thrust at the end
of the runway, and climbed out to continue to Edwards. All of a sudden, as we
were over the airport, there was absolute silence of the flight test radio
frequency. We continued to Edwards and landed and planned a second flight for
the afternoon.

The next day, Walt informed me we
were probably in trouble—at least he was. Mr. Douglas had called the regional
CAA Office and raised HELL with Walt’s supervisor. Apparently, when we made our
flight down the runway many of the local radio media people were in the coffee
shops surrounding the airport. When they heard us fly by, they ran outside and
saw a jet transport with in those days heavy black exhaust climbing away. They
immediately, and typically, reported by telephone that the DC-8 had
successfully began its first flight and on and on with their prepared spiels.
As a result, many Douglas employees heard these reports and very few actually
showed up to witness the DC-8 takeoff. This really upset Mr. Douglas.

I later found out that they also
called Bill Allen and apparently read him the riot act as well.

No one in Boeing management said
anything to me, good or bad. When the Convair 880

was scheduled for its first
flight, Walt and I joked about going to San Diego, but decided it was too far
away.